Roger Federer overcomes Nick Kyrgios in epic Miami Open semi-final

​Another spectacular performance from Roger Federer carried him into the perfect Miami final against his great rival Rafael Nadal. But the trophy match will do well to live up to this semi-final against Nick Kyrgios, which polarised the crowd to such an extent that it often felt like a pantomime.

In a match between the most popular man in tennis and the most misunderstood, the fans played a significant role in pushing Federer over the line. And not just by lifting his spirits. As Kyrgios served at 5-4 in the deciding tie-break, needing only two points for victory, a voice from the crowd yelled “out” as he set up for a difficult forehand from behind the baseline.

Kyrgios promptly shanked the shot well wide and then started remonstrating with the fan in furious fashion. “Oh my god, shut up!” he shouted. “Shut the f--- up! What the f--- are you doing?”

Nick Kyrgios stretches for a shot against Roger Federer Credit:
Getty

He could have been docked a penalty point for audible obscenity, given that he had already been warned once. But umpire Mohamed Lahyani probably felt that the provocation had been extreme.

In any case, Kyrgios didn’t recover. He double-faulted on the next point, and then Federer completed a memorable 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 victory with an unreturned serve. As the victor celebrated in unusually demonstrative fashion, throwing every one of his towels into the crowd, Kyrgios smashed his racket into the court surface over and over again. As he stomped out of the arena, he received a mixture of applause – which felt deserved, given the extraordinary standard of this 3hr 10min contest – and jeers.

Roger Federer reacts as he beats Nick Kyrgios at the Miami OpenCredit:
EPA

Federer and Kyrgios have now faced off twice on the ATP tour, with one win apiece, and all six sets have gone to tie-breaks. On Friday, the only breaks of serve came in the opener. Kyrgios moved ahead at 4-3 with a combative game in which he used Federer’s own tactic – the SABR, or sneak attack on the opponent’s serve – against him. But he couldn’t serve out at 5-4 and then had a set point robbed from him when Federer produced the most magical combination of backhands: a short sliced service return followed by a winning topspin drive up the line.

But fate was not on Kyrgios’s side in that deciding tie-breaker, and Federer also produced a couple of moments of genius, notably another magical backhand pass up the line on the opening point. “It was a great feeling to play like this,” said Federer in his on-court interview. “It was a lot of fun and you guys [the crowd] made it super special so thank you very much.

“I was feeling pretty happy sitting down [after the second set] because it was one set all. I could have lost the first. I was trying to stay positive, and for you guys it was worthwhile to stay more, because the atmosphere only got more epic.”

Federer 7-6 6-7 6-6 Kyrgios* (* denotes server)

A fine ace gets Kyrgios off to a good start. Federer does well to return a backhand, but Kyrgios makes sure he can't get the next shot back. 30-0.

Federer sits a long way back on the Kyrgios serve but it makes no difference - the Aussie makes it 40-0. But Federer thwacks back a fierce backhand return to claw a point back. A cracking forehand from Kyrgios ensure we have a third tie break. Here we go yet again.

Federer 7-6 6-7 5-5 Kyrgios* (* denotes server)

Kyrgios serving to stay in the set and match - and he loses the first point. A fierce serve draws him level again though.

At 15-15, NK wastes a good chance and finds himself 15-30 down. A delicate backhand from Kyrgios saves him though and it's 30-30. Tight, so very tight.

An ace fires him into a 40-30 lead but Federer advances and returns a forehand that Kyrgios can't return. Deuce. Boom - Federer tries, but fails, to return a powerful serve from NK. And the Aussie wraps the game up with a smart serve and volley combo.

Federer* 7-6 6-7 5-4 Kyrgios (* denotes server)

Neither of these players are giving any ground on their serve. Federer hits a strong second serve to make it 15-15. More boos as NK throws his racquet in frustration at losing the next point. Federer makes it 40-15 and holds with a strong serve.

Becker's thought for the day

Federer* 7-6 6-7 4-3 Kyrgios (* denotes server)

Federer races to a 30-0 lead, but Kyrgios fires a forehand pass down the line to make it 30-15. Federer hits a good serve to make to 40-15 before going to the net and wrapping up the game. NK should have challenged Fed's serve earlier - he would have won it.

Federer* 7-6 6-7 3-2 Kyrgios (* denotes server)

A frustrated Kyrgios is chattering to himself as he lets slip a 0-15 lead. Federer takes it 30-15 but NK responds well to level.

Another ace from Federer - he leads 11-9 in aces - takes it to 40-30 and then NK shows his frustration by kicking the ball as he lets the game slip away. The crowd jeers again - which there really isn't any need for.

Federer 7-6 6-7 2-2 Kyrgios* (* denotes server)

Kyrgios takes control quickly, serving and then volleying home a winner. Roger can't quite angle a backhand volley into the court and it's 30-0.

A booming ace makes it 40-0 but Federer comes forward to dominate the net. 40-15. NK can't quite get a backhand over the net and now it's 40-30. Can Fed crank up the pressure? Yes - Federer soacks up the returns, forcing NK into trying - and failing - to hit a forehand winner. Deuce.

This time NK goes to the net and wins the battle. Crowd getting riled as Kyrgios warned about the time he takes to serve.

Federer takes it to deuce - before a delightful exchange at the net is won by Kyrgios. Great stuff. The Aussie holds his nerve to whip a forehand winner past Federer. We remain all square.

Federer* 7-6 6-7 2-1 Kyrgios (* denotes server)

It won't be a love hold for Roger this time as Kyrgios makes it 15-15. No matter, Federer moves to 40-15, thanks to a wide forehand from NK. At 40-30, Federer makes no mistake on a smash, powering it beyond Kyrgios. Neither player budging on their serve so far.

Federer 7-6 6-7 1-1 Kyrgios* (* denotes server)

Kyrgios starts off well, but sees Federer whip a cross court backhand past him. A powerful serve makes it 30-15 before Federer this time misses a backhand. 40-15. A great point for NK, who goes to the net and guides a volley into the empty court.

Federer 7-6 6-6 Kyrgios (* denotes server)

Kyrgios draws first blood in the tie break. But a classy cross court forehand from Federer restores parity before a strong serve makes it 2-1.

The Fed has won 8 straight tie breaks in recent weeks. Will it continue? A booming forehand from Federer suggests it might. 3-1.

NK makes it 3-2 with a good serve and then Federer misses a golden chance. 3-3 - just like the tie break in the first set.

Kyrgios stretches, but can't quite reach a backhand from Federer. The Fed is cranking up the pressure, widening the gap to 5-3. A good serve from NK claws a point back and then a stunning forehand down the line levels the tie break. 5-5.

Roger is back in front and has match point. Can he take it? No. A backhand lands just out after NK serves and volleys. 6-6. This is wonderful contest.

Federer* 7-6 6-6 Kyrgios (* denotes server)

NK can't return the Fed's first serve and then they battle it out at the net - only for the Swiss to lose out. He comes again to the net and this times bats back a soft forehand from NK. 40-15. He wraps up the game and, here we go again, another tie break.

A booming second serve gives him the advantage, but he lets it slip with a backhand that lands out. Deuce. Ooph. Nk just manages to dodge a wild backhand from Federer and it flies out. A good serve from NK gives him the hold.

Federer* 7-6 4-4 Kyrgios (* denotes server)

So far, so easy for Federer. 30-0. NK then hits long to give the Swiss a chance for an easy hold. Federer goes to the wrong side to serve, provoking some banter from NK. No matter, a loose forehand from the Aussie hands Federer the game.

Federer 7-6 3-4 Kyrgios* (* denotes server)

After 16 points won by the server in a row, Federer eventually puts an end to that run. 15-15. A brilliant rally sees some beautiful returns from Federer, and NK sees a drop shot land just out. A backhand from Kyrgios hits the net and now he is defending two break points. He saves the first with a good serve. And he saves another in exactly the same way.

Deuce. NK takes the advantage before Federer hits wide to hand the Aussie the hold. He can breathe a sigh of relief.

Boris Becker, meanwhile, has some words for Djokovic.

I hope my man @DjokerNole is watching this ...it's time for you to clean your shoes and fix your racket and get back to business...

Federer* 7-6 3-3 Kyrgios (* denotes server)

A lovely ace from Federer gives him a good start and the he follows up with a delightful drop shot. Another ace makes it 40-0. And another delicious drop shot wraps the game up. Lovely tennis and another love hold.

Federer 7-6 2-3 Kyrgios* (* denotes server)

Federer* 7-6 2-2 Kyrgios (* denotes server)

NK bounds over to get another racquet after losing the first point. He apologises but draws more whistles from the crowd. Some fine serving helps Federer get to 40-0 without much trouble and then a delightful backhand wraps up an easy hold for the Swiss.

Federer* 7-6 1-1 Kyrgios (* denotes server)

Cheeky. Cheeky. Cheeky. An audacious tweeny from Kyrgios at the net makes it 15-15, but Federer smacks down an ace in return. Take that, it seemed to say.

The Swiss star then makes it 40-15, but sees a backhand thwack the net. The Aussie pushes him to deuce but Federer hammers a forehand into the corner. A stunning volley then wraps up a sticky hold for Federer.

Federer 7-6 0-1 Kyrgios* (* denotes server)

Can Kyrgios regroup amid the jeers? A good forehand to take him 15-0 up suggests he can. Federer then hits the net with a forehand to make it 30-0 before NK eases to a 40-0 lead. Much easier fro NK here, and a failed drop shot from Fed gives Kyrgios an easy hold.

Federer 7-6 Kyrgios (* denotes server)

Tie break time.

NK takes the early lead. He then tells someone in the crowd to shut up, drawing more jeers. He's getting frustrated now and the crowd is loving it. They are told to show good sportsmanship. A fierce forehand makes it 2-1, and that looks like a riposte to the crowd.

Federer shows his forehand is not bad either, but then a double fault hands NK a mini break. A lovely return from Federer makes it 3-3 and time for a water break. Phew, they'll need it. This has been a tight, absorbing 60 minutes so far.

Federer is able to return a couple of strong forehands from NK, but finally the Swiss sees a return go long. Again the Swiss star restores parity. And then Federer takes control of the next point and the crowd is urging him on. Got to feel for NK a bit here. He hasn't done much wrong but he's getting no support at all from the crowd.

At 5-5, Federer produces a superb return on NK's serve and he has set point. The Aussie won't give it to him though and we're level again. Again, the Swiss has a chance to take the set after some fine serving - bit NK is not done. He clenches his fist as Federer hits it long. A lovely rally ends with Kyrgios running to the net to dispatch a fine winner. And this time the Aussie has set point. Ooph. He sees his backhand clip the net, and fall the wrong side. What a tie break. 8-8.

Again NK has a set point as Federer can't quite move quickly enough - but NK is left baffled as the Swiss star pulls out a delightful backhand winner. 9-9. And so it continues. Over 15 minutes and counting.

Federer now has a set point, and finally he takes it! Remarkable scenes here as Kyrgios is booed again. What a set.

Federer 6-6 Kyrgios* (* denotes server)

Lovely stuff. A fine rally ends with Federer hitting a powerful smash at the net. 0-15. A backhand return from Fed doesn't quite go over the net, but then NK sees a forehand clip the net and fly out. More boos from the crowd as NK appears to say something untoward.

Federer hits a tad too long to make it 30-30 , but Kyrgios goes to the net, only to see the ball bounce off his raquet and out.

He makes it deuce though and then smacks down an ace - his 7th of the match - to give him the advantage. BOOM - another strong serve gives him the game. He roars, the crowd is quiet. Silenced.

Federer* 6-5 Kyrgios (* denotes server)

Federer rushes to a 30-0 lead, buoyed on by a partisan crowd. NK claws one back but a fine ace makes it 40-15. He has the momentum here for sure. A huge roar as Federer goes forward and whips a winner into the corner. What a contest we have here. Will Kyrgios implode or use his frustration to spur him on?

Federer 5-5 Kyrgios* (* denotes server)

Federer has the support here - a big cheer a mistake from NK makes it 0-15. More pressure from the Swiss takes it to 0-30, drawing even bigger cheers. A fine ace from Kyrgios claws a point back, but he hits slightly too wide on the next point. NK throws his raquet on the ground in his disgust and the crowd are booing Kyrgios. He's the pantomime villain in this piece.

He goes for big second second serve, but misses. Kyrgios is broken and the crowd are loving it.

Federer* 4-5 Kyrgios (* denotes server)

Fed serving to stay in the set. A fine smash from the Swiss makes it 30-15, but then a wasteful backhand - a rare thing from Roger - makes it 30-30. That's better though - a strong serve makes it 40-30. Federer loses the next challenge and NK is pushing the Swiss again on his serve. Deuce. Roger takes the advantage, but lets it slip with another loose return.

Again, the Swiss has the advantage after Kyrgios hits long - but Federer just can't see out this game. Deuce again. He has a third chance to hold and finally he takes it, as Kyrgios smacks a return into the net.

Federer 3-5 Kyrgios* (* denotes server)

Can cement the break? He goes on the offensive, smacking a fierce forehand past Fed. The next one is a bit too fierce, falling beyond the baseline. Federer hits a loose backhand in the next rally and NK makes it 40-0 with a fine serve. Kyrgios is serving cannons right now and takes the game after winning a challenge.

Federer* 3-4 Kyrgios (* denotes server)

Nk putting a bit of pressure of Roger now, who finds himself 0-30 down. A great net exchange sees Nk hit it too long, but a fine backhand down the line gives him 2 break points. Both sprint to the net quickly - but Fed wins that battle. But then NK takes the return early and Fed can't return. Nick Kyrgios draws first blood.

Federer 3-3 Kyrgios* (* denotes server)

NK possibly getting his eye in now for the serve, taking him to 30-15. Fed can only find the net to give NK the chance for an easy hold. And finally, the Aussie fires an ace to hold. A much easier game there for Kyrgios.

Federer* 3-2 Kyrgios (* denotes server)

Federer 2-2 Kyrgios* (* denotes server)

Now, can Kyrgios find his range with his serve. Not yet, his starts off with a double fault. That's better, though, and two strong deliveries make it 30-15.

He lets a backhand fly into the net in the next exchange, but makes it 40-30 thanks to a powerful serve. Roger isn't going to make this easy for the Aussie though and he pushes him to deuce again on his service game. A good backhand from Fed takes it to advantage, but NK saves the break point with a strong serve. Those bullet deliveries can save him.

But then Federer smacks a delightful backhand that flies past NK and it's another break point. An overcooked lob from Roger saves the Aussie this time, and then a fierce ace gives him the edge. An absorbing rally ends with Fed again hitting a lovely backhand down the line to make it deuce... but he can't quite connect with the next one.

NK has the chance to hold - but again, he takes it back to deuce by hitting it long. A good delivery gives him another chance, and then he follows up with another cracker that gives him the game. But boy, did he have to work for it....

Federer 1-1 Kyrgios* (* denotes server)

Roger is flying here. A superb backhand down the line makes 0-30. He has a golden chance to make it 0-40, but his forehand goes wide.

An ace from NK levels the score at 30-30 - the Aussie will need a few more of them this match. And an aggressive second serve makes it 40-30. Roger makes no mistake with the next second serve - a cracking backhand return flies past NK.

Federer then hits a beautiful forehand winner but NK claws it back to deuce. He really needs to get his first serves in. Which he does in the next point, taking it to advantage, and then taking his first service game. He was made to wrok though.

Not long now...

And as for those 'tweeners...

Kyrgios arguably got a bit carried away with the between-the-legs shots in his last battle with Zverev. He even did two in one rally. But at least it's better than some of his past antics on the court.

In October, he told the umpire at the Shanghai Masters “Can you call time so I can finish this match and go home?” At one point, as Simon Briggs reported, he "patted a serve over the net in the manner of a 60-year-old clubbie and then walked to his chair before Zverev had even struck the reply."

Nick Kyrgios, of Australia, returns a shot between his legs to Alexander ZverevCredit:
AP

And on home turf, as it were, at the Australian Open, he was booed off after letting slip a two set lead, seemingly giving up on a match that he eventually lost by a 1-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-2, 10-8 margin.

And yet, he has undoubted talent - he has beaten Novak Djokovic twice this month.

All of this means that this duel with Federer should be anything but dull.

20 minutes to go...

In the meantime, to get you in the mood for this late night action, you can check the Fed's sexiest shots here - as compiled by The Telegraph's Charlie Eccleshare.

When asked to put together the best shots of Roger Federer's career so far, I was tempted to go for the most extravagant points the 17-time grand slam champion has produced.

There are plenty of those to choose from, and some feature below, but what the list tries to do is showcase the range of Federer's spectacular shots, from the seemingly regulation backhand down the line to the more obviously Hollywood lob 'tweener.

What TV channel is it on?

What are they saying?

Federer on needing a final set tie-break to get through his quarter-final against Tomas Berdych.

"I definitely got very lucky at the end, but I think I showed great heart today," Federer said on ESPN. "I fought and Tomas definitely started to step it up, but it was a great match at the end."

On his match-up with Kyrgios he added in his on-court interview: "You all should tune in if you're not in the stadium."

What's the head-to-head?

They've only met once before, with Kyrgios winning in Madrid thanks to a final set tie-break that went all the way to 14-12. The pair had been due to meet last week in Indian Wells, but Kyrgios pulled out due to sickness.

How have they got to the semis?

After winning the Indian Wells title earlier this month, Federer has continued that excellent form into Miami over the last week.

He began with a straight sets win over American rising star Frances Tiafoe, before comprehensively beating former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro on Monday night.

Kyrgios has been in sensational form

Roberto Bautista Agut offered a sterner test in the round of last-16, but Federer edged through 7-6, 7-6. The Swiss was then pushed all the way in Thursday's quarter-final against Berdych, but eventually prevailed 6-2, 3-6, 7-6.

Kyrgios began his route to the semis with a straight-sets win over Bosnia's Damir Dzumhur before getting past Ivo Karlovic in three exasperating sets. A straight-sets win over David Goffin followed prior to the quarter-final win overnight against Germany's hugely promising 19-year-old Alex Zverev.

What are the odds?

Federer to win 4/7

Kyrgios to win 11/8

What's our prediction?

A tough one to call, but we'll go Kyrgios in three sets. It's possibly crazy to bet against Federer given the form he is in, but Kyrgios has a habit of raising his game against the very best, and they don't get much better than an 18-time slam champion.